3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Ultralight Backpacking Stove Only 3/8oz. (video demo)

Step 3Stretch the Bottom Section

Stretch the Bottom Section
Use the remaining unopened can to pre-stretch the top and bottom sections.

1. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on the bottom of the full can.
2. Carefully insert the bottom of the full can in to the cut bottom from the first can.
3. Using a small piece of plywood or the like, apply firm and even pressure to force one can in to the other.
note: Do this step incrementally; Press the can in a little way and let the pressure build up push it back out. then repeat until you can force the can about half way in to the bottom section.
« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
4 comments
Jun 30, 2009. 2:31 AMjphphotography says:
OK, I see where you're going with it now that I've made a few. A full can is much easier to sand for sure though I only had empty ones laying around so I just used those. I tried the sealed variation first and found it took over 1 min with a tea candle preheater before the jets got going. I then tried this method but didn't bother with the JB weld, this version works so much quicker and more reliably which is a big plus if you're actually intending to use it in the field ;) Thanks for the detailed instructions. FYI Instead of using the razor to cut through the whole thing I just used it to score the can then used scissors to cut it. Its hard to explain but if you cut it along the bottom (under hand?) away from you you get a clean cut, leave 1" extra space until you have the top of the can cut off then spiral in until you see the score indentation and follow it. My description probaby isn't explaining it very well though, I'll have to put up a video sometime. The results aren't perfectly flat but its really close.
Jun 28, 2009. 10:20 PMjphphotography says:
Maybe I'm just daft but why does the can need to be unopened? From what I can see you're just using the bottoms of 2 cans in the end right? Cool instructable though, I wanna make one.
Jun 29, 2009. 5:40 AMguy90 says:
generally, a can is stronger (easier to work with) when its unopened, i've made a few of these and its always a pain when an empty can bends out of shape during the cutting and sanding processes.

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
59
Followers
5
Author:thatoneguydavid